Onion (kitunguu)

About the crop: This crop is biennial. It usually needs two growing seasons before it finishes its life cycle. You can normally start harvesting about 120 days after planting, depending on care and variety.

Main use: Farmers mostly grow this crop for red and bulb onion (kitunguu) used for cooking, salads, frying, pickles and dried onion flakes..

Pollination: This crop is mainly pollinated by insect. Keeping flowers healthy and having insects like bees in the field helps improve fruit set and yields.

Where it grows: Onion (kitunguu) is widely grown in irrigated and rainfed areas in East Africa, especially in dry, sunny valleys and around towns. It is grouped under: Vegetables.

Best climate: This crop does well in warm areas where the temperature is usually between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. It prefers places that receive around 500 to 700 millimetres of rain in a year. It can grow from near sea level up to about 2200 metres above sea level.

Soil: The crop grows best in slightly acidic to near neutral soils, with a pH of about 6 to 6.8. It does well in loose, well-drained sandy loam or loam with good organic matter. onion (kitunguu) forms better bulbs in friable soils.. Good drainage is important, so avoid waterlogged spots.

Plant spacing: Plant in rows about 30 centimetres apart, and leave about 10 centimetres between plants in the row. This gives each plant enough space for roots and canopy to spread.

Planting depth: Dig planting holes or furrows about 1.5 centimetres deep so the roots sit firmly in the soil but are not buried too deep.

Seed or planting material: Use around 5 kilograms of seed or planting material per hectare. Spread or plant evenly so the field has a good stand without being overcrowded.

Nursery period: If you raise seedlings in a nursery, keep them there for about 45 days before transplanting to the main field, when they are strong and healthy.